‘You give a part of yourself away when you take money from people’

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No smoking, no drinking, no burgers, no Easter eggs - and no more taking his kit off for the cameras. In the third extract from his book, England’s new rugby captain reveals the strict regime that helped to turn him into a star and why he does not mind that his refusal to cash in on World Cup glory cost him a fortune

I HAVE been accused of being an obsessive. I used to shy away from that description because of its connotations — someone kindly described me as a “basket case” at the World Cup. However, in the case of training, at least, I feel more comfortable with the term now. When I go out on to the pitch I want to look at my opposite number and feel as if I am stronger, quicker and better than he is. I need to believe that whatever he throws at me, I will be more than equal to it. For that to happen,